The 51-year-old was jailed for money laundering despite a mercy plea from his employer, while “street-level supplier” Charlotte Crowe, 59, retained her liberty but was told she was lucky not to follow McKnight inside.

McKnight operated the enterprise and funded trips to mainland Europe to buy tobacco which would be sold on the black market.

Police intercepted a suspected tobacco handover involving the pair in the car park of The Garrick on May 17, 2015.